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I’ve used countless store-bought natural deodorants, and they always leave me stinky and sweaty. In 2011, I made this homemade deodorant recipe and still use it daily. I love it, along with thousands of others who swear by it.
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Why I Use Natural Deodorant
Making your own deodorant saves money, is healthier for your body, and actually stops sweating and body odor. Seriously, jump on this bandwagon ASAP!
In 2011, I went on a journey and started making homemade granola bars, natural cold and flu remedies like ginger lemon honey tea, elderberry syrup, homemade lip scrubs, and even went 10 days without shampoo (I don’t recommend that last one).
It was during this time that I began questioning all the things I was putting in and on my body.
Most store-bought deodorants contain parabens, aluminum, dye and a bunch of chemicals I can’t even spell (or type correctly). Why put these things on your body if there are safe, natural alternatives that work even better? Since I started this journey, new “safer” products have been launched, but even they contain ambiguous ingredients like fragrance. What does that even mean?
To me, that’s reason enough to ditch commercial deodorants and make my own. I’ve been using the same recipe for over 11 years now and I absolutely love it and use it every day. The only thing I change up is the essential oils I use, depending on what scent I feel like that season.
The Best Natural Deodorant
No joke— you can put this deodorant on at 5AM, run a few miles, blend a the world’s Best Green Smoothie, throw on some work clothes, work an 8-hour shift and come home smelling good.
At first, my husband and I were baffled by how well it worked. We would smell each other’s armpits just to brag. Then we decided to push the boundaries and slathered it on before a long day of helping friends move. We sweat all day and came home smelling good!
Ingredients to Make Homemade Deodorant
You only need four ingredients to make your own all-natural deodorant. Chances are you probably have at least half of them already. You can buy arrowroot powder in the baking section of most natural food stores or online.
- baking soda (feel free to use less if you’ve got sensitive skin)
- non-gmo arrowroot powder (a better choice than traditional cornstarch)
- organic unrefined coconut oil
- essential oils: grapefruit, tea tree, spruce and sweet orange are my favorites
How to Use Homemade Deodorant
Using natural deodorant can seem a little intimidating at first. Since it’s stored in a jar, you have to scoop it out with your finger, a popsicle stick or a tongue depressor. If you’d prefer to have it in “stick form,” you can add a little bit of beeswax and shea butter to the recipe to thicken it. I found that didn’t work as well for me and went back to the jar recipe.
Tips for Starting Natural Deodorant
Some people encounter issues with an itchy rash, red bumps or more sweat and odor than usual as they transition to homemade deodorant. Don’t let this prevent you from making the switch!
Drinking plenty of water and dry brushing are two awesome ways to assist your body as it adjusts away from the chemical-laden deodorants you used to use. My #1 recommendation (drumroll, please!) is to detox your armpits. Sounds weird, I know! But it’ll help speed up your body’s adjustment period to this homemade deodorant.
In addition to detoxing your armpits, you may also want to consider detoxing your whole body. All the processed foods we eat contain chemicals that end up affecting the way we smell when we sweat. Try out a seasonal cleanse to get started on a whole-body detox.
These cleanses are super easy to follow and use only whole, plant-based foods (no expensive supplements!) to gently clear your body of unwanted toxins.
Best Natural Deodorant to Buy
While making my own deodorant works for me, I’m also a realist and know that not everyone wants to go this crunchy. That’s where Pretty Frank (formerly known as Primal Pit Paste) comes in.
They have natural deodorant lines that have a variety of strengths and scents that work and are better for your body.
I’ve used them while on vacation or if I run out of my own homemade blend and haven’t had time to make another batch.
More Home Remedies
If you’re ready to try a few new recipes (that really work!) and transform your home with safer products, then give my go-to remedies a try. They can help you sleep better, fight illness faster, clear congestion, hydrate and more:
- Fire cider: While this tonic is not for the faint of heart, it does wonders to shorten the length of an oncoming cold and I keep a batch on standby year-round.
- Lip scrub: A hydrating and fun recipe to make for gifts or just for yourself.
- Elderberry syrup: A great supplement to take during cold and flu season to keep your body healthy.
- Hot-flash remedy: Menopause, pregnancy, post-COVID- anything that brings on the unwanted hot flash can be soothed through this cooling beverage.
- Sleep tea: A tea that will help you drift off to sleep more naturally.
- Vapor rub: My kids and I use this at night to clear away congestion.
- Popsicles for sore throats: Whether it’s allergies or a cold that’s causing that sore throat, these tasty and soothing popsicles can help!
Leave a rating and review to let me know how this recipe worked out for you! As you can tell by the over 200+ reviews so far, this is a recipe you must try.
Simple Homemade Deodorant
Ingredients
- ½ cup baking soda you can use less when starting out if it irritates you
- ½ cup arrowroot powder you can also use cornstarch, but I prefer arrowroot powder
- 5 tbsp coconut oil
- 20 drops grapefruit essential oil or another essential oil with antibacterial properties
Instructions
- Mix baking soda and arrowroot together. (I used my Kitchenaid Stand Mixer.)
- Add the coconut oil and essential oils. Mix well.
- Pour into clean air-tight jar (Homemade deodorant will last up to two years in an airtight container.)
- Use a popsicle stick to get the deodorant out of the container and transfer to your finger. Make sure you use enough under your arms to keep you “sure” all day long. A pea-size amount is usually good.
Equipment
Notes
- Consistency: This deodorant changes consistency depending on the temperature. In cold climates, it can be pretty hard to get out. If that’s the case for you, I recommend storing it by the shower and allowing the steam to warm it before applying. If you live in a warm climate and the deodorant is too liquidy, store it in a cool cupboard to thicken it up.
- Technique: For the past couple of years, I stopped using the popsicle stick and actually just use my fingers and dip them in the jar.
Hello. I found your site as a happy accident while searching for natural deodorant recipes. I have not made it yet. Before I do, I have a question. I have been so sensitive for the last few months and I am worried about adding the essential oils. Could this be made without it? If so, is there anything that I need to do differently?
I am so excited to try this!
Thanks, Annette
Hi,
I need to share my experience. So I made my batch of natural deodorant as per your recipe and it was perfect.
Than I made next batch, however, it was rough and grainy, and I realised I used different soda bikarbonate (they differ in size of granuls, from 75 micron to 100 or more).
Than I made third batch, with small twist, just added a tiny bit of E vitamin and zinc ricinoleat (less than 1%). The consistency is different, and I feel and see arrowroot on my armpits even though I mixed all ingredients until smooth. I guess I used too much of arrowroot powder – though it`s just guessing. It could be beking soda – anybody?
So nhere is batch 4, which is made the SAME way as my first super great batch, however the consistency is not as creamy as first one. Soooo, my question is, is it only me or anybody else making same deodorant but it keeps getting a bit different despite ingredients and quantites being the same???
Hey Meli. It sounds like a science experiment over there! Here’s the exact ingredient I use every time and get great results. Arm and Hammer pure baking soda. Terrasoul arrowroot powder. Nutiva coconut oil. I would make sure to mix it well. I wonder if the air temperature is more the issue— are you melting the coconut oil first? You could try that to help everything meld together nicely.
Can you make it more into a solid if you add more arrowroot powder? I would like to do that if possible
I’ve been playing with this myself. The best results I’ve had making it more solid (and put into a roller container) is adding some beeswax and shea butter (which have a higher melting point than coconut oil). You just need to make sure the wax is completely melted before you mix it into the deoderant. When the temps get cooler (60s in the house), you can use the original recipe in a roller container. Yet anything around 70 degrees and it’s mush.
I live in a very hot climate and am struggling to keep the deodorant from melting. Any idea what I can add to stop that ? Or would it be just less oil ?
Thank you for the recipe I love it. Just moving to tropical area has made is less stable.
When I lived in Florida there would be times when mine was more like a wet paste (and sometimes coconut oil would separate from the rest and sit on top). I just used a popsicle stick to stir it up and apply. Yet I know it’s messier this way. You could also try melting in some beeswax/shea butter combo, which has a higher melt point than coconut oil and might help it hold together a little better.
Absolutely love it! Works.great.
I am finding it is still powdery with 5 tbsp of coconut oil … is this the consistency it should be? I was thinking it should all stick together.
Had to add another tbsp to do so.
It should be more pasty than powdery. I would add more coconut oil and essential oils.
Thanks for this recipe. Quick question about the arrowroot. I see arrowroot starch and arrowroot flour at reasonable prices but the arrowroot powder is super expensive and I can’t buy just a small quantity. Does it have to be arrowroot powder or will the others work? Do you have a link to what you use? Thanks
Arrow powder, flour, starch is all the same thing! You’re okay to use either or. 🙂 have fun making it, I found this recipe when I ran out of my Normal deo and haven’t been back to the store for men’s old spice since.